ILC2-derived IL-9 activates regulatory T cells to facilitate post-myocardial infarction repair

Background Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are recognized as key innate immune effectors that facilitate early cardiac recovery after myocardial infarction (MI); however, the underlying mechanisms by which they mediate this repair remain largely unclear. Methods To investigate the role of ILC2-derived interleukin-9 (IL-9), we employed ILC2-specific IL-9 knockout mice and administered exogenous IL-9 in a murine MI model. The mechanism of regulatory T cells (Tregs) activation was further examined through Treg-specific Sirt1 knockout in vitro, focusing on STAT5 acetylation and related signaling. Results We demonstrate that ILC2-derived IL-9 is essential for post-MI repair by activating Tregs. IL-9 binding to the IL-9 receptor on Tregs upregulates the deacetylase Sirt1, and Sirt1 deletion abolishes IL-9-driven Treg activation. Furthermore, Sirt1 directly interacts with STAT5, promoting its deacetylation and phosphorylation, leading to the transcriptional activation of genes essential for Treg function. Conclusion Our study identifies IL-9 as a key regulator of Treg activation via a novel Sirt1-STAT5 epigenetic pathway, which promotes tissue repair after MI. These findings reveal a previously unrecognized immunomodulatory axis with significant therapeutic potential for ischemic heart disease.